Skiing in Europe
Europe is the birthplace of alpine skiing and still the beating heart of the sport, its mountains laced with the largest linked ski areas on earth. The scenery, the mountain restaurants and the storybook villages are as much a draw as the slopes.
The Alps dominate, shared between France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, but excellent and often cheaper skiing can be found in the Pyrenees, the Dolomites, Scandinavia and the emerging resorts of Eastern Europe. The season generally runs from December to April.
These are the regions and resorts worth booking a ski trip around.
Europe's Best Ski Resorts#
Chamonix, France The birthplace of extreme skiing, huddled beneath Mont Blanc, offering some of the most challenging and legendary off-piste terrain in the Alps, including the epic Vallee Blanche glacier run. It is a magnet for serious skiers and mountaineers. The town buzzes with alpine history.
Les Trois Vallees, France The largest linked ski area on the planet, connecting Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens across three vast valleys. With 600km of pistes, you could ski for a week and never repeat a run. It caters to every level and budget.
Val d’Isere & Tignes, France Joined together as the Espace Killy, this high, snow-sure area is a favourite for its reliable conditions and lively apres-ski. The terrain suits everyone from beginners to experts. The season here is one of the longest in the Alps.
Zermatt, Switzerland A car-free village beneath the iconic pyramid of the Matterhorn, with high-altitude, glacier skiing that links across the border to Italy’s Cervinia. Superb restaurants and dramatic scenery abound. Summer glacier skiing is also possible.
Verbier, Switzerland The freeride capital of the Alps, offering vast, steep off-piste terrain and a famously glamorous, party-loving scene. It anchors the huge Four Valleys area. Expert skiers flock here for the challenge.
St Moritz, Switzerland The original luxury winter resort, playground of the rich since the 19th century, combining sunny slopes with polo on ice and grand hotels. Its skiing is broad and scenic. Glamour is as much the point as the pistes.
St Anton, Austria The heart of the vast Arlberg region and legendary for both its challenging terrain and its raucous apres-ski. Deep powder and steep descents reward strong skiers. The umbrella bars are an institution.
Kitzbuhel, Austria A beautiful medieval town hosting the fearsome Hahnenkamm downhill race, the most famous on the World Cup circuit. Its tree-lined runs and charm make it a favourite. The atmosphere is quintessentially Tyrolean.
The Dolomites, Italy The Sella Ronda circuit lets you ski around an entire massif of dramatic pink rock spires, linking a dozen resorts on a single pass. The scenery is arguably the most beautiful in the skiing world. Long lunches on sunny terraces are obligatory.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy A stylish, sun-drenched resort set amid the spectacular Dolomites, blending gentle cruising pistes with Italian glamour and superb food. It hosted the Winter Olympics and will again in 2026. The dolce vita reigns on the slopes.
Andorra Tucked in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra’s Grandvalira and Vallnord offer excellent-value, snow-sure skiing and a lively scene. Duty-free shopping is a bonus. It is a favourite for first-timers and families.
Bansko, Bulgaria Eastern Europe’s leading resort delivers modern lifts and genuine mountain terrain at a fraction of Alpine prices. A historic old town sits below the slopes. It has become a firm favourite with budget-conscious skiers.